AF Corse’s BoP Protest Rejected

Photo: MPS Agency

The stewards of the 8 Hours of Bahrain have rejected AF Corse’s protest lodged against the Balance of Performance adjustments made to the Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.

Confirmed in a decision Friday evening, both the protests from the No. 51 and No. 52 GTE-Pro entries have been thrown out due to the conclusion that Article 20 of the WEC technical regulations is the only legally binding rule.

“Article 20 of WEC technical regulation clearly states the WEC Committee is permitted to carry out any modifications which it may deem necessary at the absolute discretion of the WEC committee,” a statement from the stewards read.

“Nothing in this case permits the stewards to review the legality either of Article 20 of WEC technical regulations which is binding for the competitor as for the stewards, or the legality of the WEC committee decisions protested which have been taken in accordance with Article 20 of the WEC technical regulations.”

Additionally it was found that “decisions of the WEC Committee are taken in the last resort and thus cannot be appealed.”

AF Corse alleged that the two BoP decisions made, one prior to the 6 Hours of Bahrain and another following the race, were “wrongfully set” and supported evidence including a press release published by the FIA WEC communications department in April 2017 as well as an exchange of email communications between FIA and ACO technical delegates and the manufacturer discussing and clarifying Article 20.

Both supplied exibits were thrown out as they were not found to binding regulations or provisions in the WEC.

The No. 51 Ferrari of James Calado qualified second for tomorrow’s season finale, with a time that was less than two-tenths off class pole-sitter Kevin Estre.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John